A very amusing mashup of Pixar’s Up and Gran Torino.
[Via Hollywood Elsewhere]
Categories
Tag: gran torino
DVD PICKS
Che Part One and Part Two (Optimum): This long gestating biopic of Che Guevara from director Steven Soderbergh got a mixed reaction after it premiered at Cannes in May 2008.
Some were put off by the four hour running time and the whole question of whether or not it was actually two films. It would probably be most accurate to describe it as two films merged together as one: The Argentine deals with the Cuban revolution in 1959 whilst Guerrilla explores his final years in Bolivia.
In the UK it got released as Che: Part One and Che: Part Two, with some special double-bill screenings at certain cinemas. Now with the DVD release, it is worth saying again what an audacious and thrilling piece of cinema this project turned out to be.
In the first part we see the Cuban Revolution inter-cut with Guevara’s 1964 trip to the United Nation and refreshingly Soderbergh eschews the narrative cliches of many historical biopics. Instead of ponderous meditations on his motives or background we are plunged into the raw action of the revolutionary’s life.
Some viewers may find this off putting but as the film progresses the production design, costume, acting and cinematography get ever more hypnotic, drawing us into this world.
Soderbergh has always been a gifted technical filmmaker interested in pushing the boundaries of mainstream cinema and here he crafted one of his most interesting and accomplished films with the help of a revolutionary digital camera (appropriately called the RED One) that allowed him to make an epic using guerrilla film-making techniques.
The spiritual core of the film is an outstanding performance from Benicio del Toro, who captures the physical and vocal mannerisms of Che so well that he manages to make you forget about the face that spawned so many t-shirts and posters.
Che will be available on DVD and Blu-ray in two parts or as a box-set.
The extras for Che Part One are:
- Behind the Scenes Featurette
- Exclusive Interview with Steven Soderbergh
- Theatrical teaser trailer
The extras for Che Part Two are:
- Exclusive interview with Benicio Del Toro
- Interview with Alberto Iglesias (composer)
- Interview with Jon Lee Anderson (Author of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life)
- Theatrical trailer
On DVD the films are presented in anamorphic widescreen with Spanish DD2.0 Stereo, Spanish DD5.1 Surround audio and English subtitles.
On Blu-ray (Region B) the films are presented in 1080P Widescreen with Spanish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English subtitles.
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Gran Torino (Warner Bros): Just after directing Changeling, Clint Eastwood returned with another film, which he directs and stars in (reportedly his acting swan song). He plays a disgruntled Korean War vet who sets out to reform his neighbour, a young Hmong teenager (Bee Vang), who tried to steal his vintage 1972 Gran Torino car.
Although this project came together quickly, it is a lean and satisfying tale told with Eastwood’s customary efficiency and class. It would be safe to categorise it as a drama, but there are some very funny sequences, mostly involving the culture clash between Eastwood’s gruff character and his immigrant neighbours.
There are times when the film skates on thin ice when dealing with the issue of race, but Eastwood and screenwriter Nick Schenk deserve credit for venturing in territory that most Hollywood execs wouldn’t touch with a bargepole.
A pleasingly old fashioned drama of simple pleasures and a fitting swansong for the iconic tough guy persona Eastwood has owned for a generation.
Extras on the regular DVD include:
- Manning the Wheel as Reflected in American Car Culture
- Gran Torino: More than a Car. Visit Detroit and the Woodland Dream Cruise, an Annual vintage car event where buffs describe the unique bond between man and vehicles
- The Eastwood Way: Exploring the Actor/Director’s filmmaking process up close (Blu-ray exclusive)
The following extras will be made available over BD-Live (Blu-ray only):
- Jamie Cullum’s music video performance of the original theme song from the motion picture Gran Torino.
- Gran Torino: Next Door is a 15 minute Hmong documentary. For Hmong Americans, Gran Torino marks a cinematic debut – the first time they have participated as characters, cast and crew in a major motion picture. The documentary takes a very personal look at the Hmong experience and their stories, both on and off the set.
- Additional Theatrical Trailers
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ALSO OUT
A Rage in Harlem (Optimum)
All The Rivers Run (Fremantle)
American Teen (Optimum)
Bloody Mama (Optimum)
Bust – The Complete Series (Fabulous Films/Fremantle)
Confessions of a Shopaholic (Disney)
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead (2 Entertain)
Flame & Citron (Metrodome)
I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer (Anchor Bay)
Insatiable: Diary of a Sex Addict (Momentum)
Lift / Travellers / Calais: The Last Border – Three films by Marc Isaacs (Second Run DVD)
Lipstick Jungle – Season 2 (Universal Playback)
Naruto Unleashed: Complete Series 5 (Manga)
Naruto Unleashed: Series 6 Part 2 (Manga)
New in Town (EIV)
Push (Icon)
Rachel Getting Married (Sony)
Revolutionary Road (Paramount)
Robin Hood Series 3 (2 Entertain)
Secret Smile (ITV DVD)
Surveillance (E1 Entertainment)
The Cell 2 (EIV)
The House by the Cemetery (Arrow)
> Browse more DVD Releases at Amazon UK and Play
> Check the latest DVD prices at DVD Price Check
> Take a look at the current UK cinema releases (W/C Friday 26th June)
NATIONAL RELEASES
Gran Torino (Warner Bros.): Just 3 months after Changeling opened at UK cinemas Clint Eastwood returns with another film, which he directs and stars in. The story is about a disgruntled Korean War vet (Eastwood) who sets out to reform his neighbour, a young Hmong teenager (Bee Vang), who tried to steal his vintage 1972 Gran Torino car.
Although this project came together quickly, it is a lean and satisfying tale told with Eastwood’s customary efficiency and class. It would be safe to categorise it as a drama, but there are some very funny sequences, mostly involving the culture clash between Eastwood’s gruff character and his immigrant neighbours.
There are times when the film skates on thin ice when dealing with the issue of race, but Eastwood and screenwriter Nick Schenk deserve credit for venturing in territory that most Hollywood execs wouldn’t touch with a bargepole.
It is a pleasingly old fashioned drama of simple pleasures and a fitting swansong for the iconic tough guy persona Eastwood has owned for a generation.
For some reason Warner Bros are doing a platform release in London before going nationwide next week (perhaps they were hoping for Oscar nominations that didn’t materialise?) when it can expect to do decent, if unspectacular business. [Cert 15 / Vue West End – Nationwide from 27 February]
Che Part Two (Optimum Releasing): The second part of Steven Soderbergh’s Che biopic focuses on his futile attempt to bring revolution to Bolivia and eventual ill-fated demise.
When viewed as two films I have to admit a preference for the vibrancy and sweep of Part One, but there is much to recommend in this darker second segment.
Benicio Del Toro is still splendid as the revolutionary icon and the wide-screen lensing of the first part is replaced with a more claustrophobic shooting style – it was shot on the 1:85 ratio instead of the wider 2:35 format.
Although some critics have found both films a little dry, Soderbergh deserves a great deal of credit for the authenticity and audacity of this project – a testament to the director’s ability to mix his successful Hollywood career with more intriguing work.
For a foreign laguage film, Part One did well early in January (helped by some Film Coucil money enabling a wider release) and Part Two can expect to do similar business. [Cert 15 / Cineworld Wandsworth, Odeon Covent Garden, Vue Shepherd’s Bush & Nationwide]
Cadillac Records (Sony Pictures): A biopic written and directed by Darnell Martin that explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the singers who recorded for Chess Records.
The cast includes Adrien Brody as Chess, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, and Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James.
Although this has a starry cast and got favourable US reviews, it may struggle to find a sizeable audience in the UK. It may be that a more appreciative audience discovers the film on DVD and TV in the future. [Cert 15 / Odeon Panton St, C’Worlds Enfield, Feltham, Wandsworth & Nationwide]
Confessions Of A Shopaholic (Walt Disney): Disney execs who greenlit this film must have been kicking themselves when Wall Street and modern consumer capitalism started to implode last Autumn.
Why? Well, this is a film based on the chick-lit novel by Sophie Kinsella about young woman (Isla Fisher) who moves to Manhattan in order to nurture her shopping addiction and get involved in the New York magazine world.
Directed by P. J. Hogan, it also stars John Goodman and Joan Cusack as her parents and was probably rushed into production when The Devil Wears Prada became a hit.
This might seem like a bad time to be releasing such a film, but perhaps reverse psychology and a desperate need for escapism might help it to a better than expected gross. [Cert PG / Vue West End & Nationwide]
Push (Icon): This sci-fi thriller about a group of young American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities seems to bear some similarities to last year’s Jumper.
Directed by Paul McGuigan, it stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Djimon Hounsou, and Camilla Belle as some of the psychic peoplewho band together to attempt to battle a government agency.
It has already spawned possibly the longest ever ever plot summary on Wikipedia but on a more serious note, the negative US reviews and lack of any real star may hamper its UK box office prospects. [Cert 12A / London & Nationwide]
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IN LIMITED RELEASE
Anvil! The Story Of Anvil (The Works): An offbeat documentary about a 30-year-old Canadian metal band led by two lifelong friends in their 50’s. Directed by Sacha Gervasi it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008, and has won Audience Awards at various other festivals since then. [Cert 15 / Curzon Soho & Key Cities]
20th Century Boys (4Digital Asia): A limited run at the ICA Cinema for this live-action take on Naoki Urasawa’s ace manga series. [Cert 15 / ICA Cinema & Key Cities]
> UK Cinema Releases for February 2009
> Get the latest showtimes for your local cinema via Google Movies
> Check out our latest DVD picks (W/C Monday 16th February)
Categories
UK Cinema Releases: February 2009
- Bolt (3D) (PG) Walt Disney / Vue West End & Nationwide
- The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (12A) Warner Bros. / Nationwide
- Doubt (15) / Walt Disney
- The Good, The Bad and The Weird (15) Icon / Cineworld Shaftesbury Ave., & Key Cities
- He’s Just Not That Into You (TBC) Entertainment / Nationwide
- Punisher War Zone (18) / Sony Pictures
- The Secret Of Moonacre (U) / Warner Bros.
- Vicky Cristina Barcelona (12A) Optimum Releasing / West End venues (Regions from 13 Feb)
- Who Killed Nancy? (TBC) Soda Pictures / London venues & Key Cities
- Friday The 13th (18) / Paramount
- Fuck (TBC) ICA Films / ICA Cinema (Key Cities from March)
- Hotel For Dogs (U) / Paramount
- Moscow, Belgium (15) Unanimous Pictures / London venues (tbc) & Key Cities
- Notorious (15) 20th Century Fox
- Pink Panther 2 (PG) / Sony Pictures
- Three Monkeys (15) / New Wave Films
- 20th Century Boys (15) 4Digital Asia / ICA Cinema & Key Cities
- Anvil! The Story Of Anvil (12A) The Works / Curzon Soho & Key Cities
- Cadillac Records (TBC) / Sony Pictures
- Che: Part Two (15) / Optimum Releasing
- Confessions Of A Shopaholic (TBC) / Walt Disney
- Franklyn (15) Contender Films / E1 Films
- Gran Torino (15) / Warner Bros.
- Push (12A) / Icon
- Brothers (TBC) / Lionsgate UK
- The Class (15) / Artificial Eye
- Dance Flick (TBC) / Paramount
- Fermat’s Room (TBC) / Revolver Entertainment
- Gun Crazy (PG) (R/I) bfi Distribution / BFI Southbank & Key Cities
- Hamlet 2 (15) / Momentum Pictures
- The International (15) / Sony Pictures
- New In Town (12A) / Entertainment
- The Unborn (15) Universal
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Keep a look out every Friday for a breakdown of the weekly releases with more detail on each film.
If you have any questions about this month’s cinema releases or any upcoming titles then just email me or leave a comment below.
> Get local showtimes via Google Movies (just enter your local postcode)
> Find out about films showing near you at MyFilms